Monitoring of Airborne Fungi in Indoor Environments of Reading and Stock Sections of College Library

Mold sensitivity, particularly to Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi including Candida, Penicillium and Curvularia species are mainly cause allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis and severe asthma. The study was conducted from December-2013 to April-2015 by using Hi-Air sampler (Hi-Media Ltd. LA-002), with the help of two different media strips PS-640 and PS-290 simultaneously. In both the sections of library, total 34 fungal species excluding yeasts and non-sporulated fungi were isolated and identified (Reading& Stock section). The dominant fungal species isolated were Curvularia lunata recorded 706 CFU/m3, followed by Curvularia geniculata 612.5 CFU/m3, Curvularia tetramera 537.5 CFU/m3, Aspergillus niger 468.75 CFU/m3, Aspergillus flavus 431.25 CFU/m3, Aspergillus fumigatus 475 CFU/m3, Alternaria alternata 350 CFU/m3, Cladosporium herbarum 287.5 CFU/m3, Alternaria soloni 281.25 CFU/m3, Alternaria tenussima 262.5 CFU/m3, Cladosporium spp.245.75 CFU/m3, Penicillium chrysogenum 450 CFU/m3, P. citrinum 456.25 CFU/m3, P. glaucus 556.25 CFU/m3, Penicillium spp.331.25 CFU/m3, and Non-sporulating fungi 737.5 CFU/m3 in reading and stock sections of library. The total mean concentrations of airborne fungi in reading section of library was 7618.75 CFU/m3, which is minimum as compare to the stock section of library 10306.25 CFU/m3. Fungi are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and often constitute the main biological component of the air. They are closely related with indoor and outdoor air pollution and human health. The prevalence of airborne fungi in the environments of library of college was meagerly studied. The present study was conducted to monitor the airborne fungi and their concentrations in two sections of library environments; to find out the fungi which are mainly responsible for the adverse health effects and deteriorating the book materials.